Australian pop star Tones and I will perform in Ulverstone on May 2, fulfilling a promise to a determined local who has been campaigning for her visit since 2021.
The singer announced the concert date on social media tonight, telling her followers she would fly back from London specifically for the show.
“I am literally flying back for this show from London because I am a woman of my word,” she posted to her 611,000 Facebook followers.
The announcement comes after 19-year-old Jyron Flannery launched his grassroots campaign “Tones And I Come To Ulverstone” in January, responding to the singer’s challenge for regional communities to drum up support for affordable concerts.
Flannery, who works as a bartender while saving for his own food van business, said he wanted to bring live music to people who couldn’t afford big city concerts.
“There’s heaps of people with disabilities and the elderly that can’t get as far as going to airports and having to walk two kilometres, especially at Melbourne Airport,” he told Pulse last month.
The campaign gained momentum when local businesses and community members rallied behind Flannery’s efforts over the past two months.
“It took over two months to get a reply out of her, but I’m just proud about the whole community and how they’ve all come together,” he said.
Tickets will go on sale Thursday at 10am, though the venue location has not yet been confirmed publicly.
Flannery suggested the West Ulverstone Soccer Club or the wharf, though he admits the wharf would be “definitely too tiny” for the expected crowd.
The singer hinted at more shows during her visit, posting: “While I’m back I will go through comments and do more shows because obviously I can’t say no to you all”.
Flannery hopes the concert will put Ulverstone “on the map” and boost local spirits.
“Ulverstone will be pumping,” he said.
